> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Conservatives question decision to appoint new cabinet support member for local government reorganisation at Staffordshire County Council - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/county-council-appoints-new-cabinet-support-member-to-help-guide-authority-through-local-government-reorganisation/ - Published: 2026-07-26T07:10:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-28T17:37:18.000Z - Description: Cllr Rhys Machin says his role will help navigate switch to new unitary authority, but opposition group say Reform UK are continuing with 'jobs for the boys' approach. - Author: Lichfield Live - Tags: Politics A NEW cabinet support member has been appointed to help Staffordshire County Council navigate local government reorganisation – but questions have been asked over whether money needs to be spent on the post. The authority will be abolished in 2028 alongside district and borough councils – including Lichfield District Council – as part of a move towards larger unitary authorities. The new body for the south and mid-Staffordshire region will cover council areas such as Stafford Borough, East Staffordshire Borough, Cannock Chase District, Lichfield District and South Staffordshire District, which have a combined population of more than 680,000 people. A second will cover the northern portion of the county as well as Stoke-on-Trent. Cllr Rhys Machin has been appointed as the county council's cabinet support member for finance and devolution. Cllr Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council's leader, said: > "I would like to welcome Rhys to the cabinet team. I know he will take on this role with enthusiasm and critically offer support to each of the cabinet members and work closely with our officers as we move forward. > > "We will strengthen our drive and focus, together with our district and borough colleagues and those at Stoke-on-Trent, on putting our residents first throughout the local government reorganisation process." Cllr Machin said: > "I’m grateful to Cllr Martin Murray and the other cabinet members for this opportunity. > > "Local government reorganisation is one of the biggest changes Staffordshire local government has faced in many years and it will require considerable time and effort from officers and members alike. > > "There are significant challenges ahead and a great deal of work to do over the coming months. > > "I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as cabinet support member for finance and devolution, and I’m committed to working hard, learning from experienced colleagues and officers, and doing everything I can to make a positive contribution. > > "Throughout that process, we will continue listening to residents and doing everything we can to ensure the transition is managed as effectively as possible for everyone." Cllr Machin's role is the latest cabinet support post created at the county council, including [others relating to regional highways and public health](https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-committees/role-cabinet?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk). The positions sit alongside existing full cabinet members. The [Staffordshire County Council constitution](https://staffordshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s208523/Appendix%204a%20-%20The%20County%20Councils%20Scheme%20for%20the%20Payment%20of%20Members%20Basic%20Special%20Responsibility%20.pdf?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) states that cabinet support members are eligible for a special responsibility allowance of £14,764.83 on top of their standard allowance of £11,533.91. Cllr Alex Farrell, Conservative member for Lichfield Rural South and deputy leader of the opposition, said: > "This appointment seems like another example of 'jobs for the boys' at Staffordshire County Council. > > "Reform UK said they would be saving money in Staffordshire and cutting out waste, but so far they've found no waste and all they've done is spent more money on themselves with extra cabinet roles, political assistants and security at council buildings. > > "Staffordshire County Council will cease to exist very soon due to local government reorganisation so I would like to know how this extra paid cabinet member is going to help taxpayers, and what will he do that the other ten paid cabinet members and three cabinet support members can't?" But Cllr Machin said his role was not an additional post and would replace an existing one instead. He said: > "Cllr Farrell is being a touch liberal with the truth, because his claim is simply not true – this is not an extra Cabinet role. > > "I have not been appointed as a cabinet member, but as a cabinet support member. The finance and devolution role replaces a different cabinet support member role, meaning the number of cabinet support member positions remains at four. > > "These roles are nothing new at Staffordshire County Council. Previous Conservative administrations used them themselves while running the authority. > > "Given the dire state the Conservatives left Staffordshire in, they may want to explain what value their own cabinet support member roles brought to taxpayers before attacking others for using the same structure. > > "The forthcoming reorganisation is the biggest change to local government in Staffordshire in a generation. It will have major financial, governance and service implications for residents across the county. That is why support is being focused on finance and devolution – exactly where it is needed. > > "Cllr Farrell calls it 'jobs for the boys', but we call it being prudent with resources and ensuring support is focused where it